Composed of some 2 million people who live across the Sahara Desert, and are also spread across some North African countries of Mali, Niger, Libya, Algeria, and Chad, the Tuaregs are a Muslim people.
The northern Tuareg live mainly in true desert country, whereas the southerners live primarily in steppe and savanna. The Tuareg comprises confederations including the Ahaggar (Hoggar) and Azjer (Ajjer) in the north and the Asben (Aïr Tuareg), Ifora, Itesen (Kel Geres), Aulliminden, and Kel Tademaket in the south.
The southerners breed zebu cattle and camels, some of which are sold to the northern Tuareg. The raiding of caravans and travelers was important in pre-European times, as was caravan trading, which declined with the introduction of motor vehicles.
Droughts across southern Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta), and Chad in the 1970s and ’80s both reduced the numbers of the southern Tuareg and eroded their traditional pastoral way of life.
Tuareg society is traditionally feudal, ranging from nobles, through clergy, vassals, and artisans, two laborers (once slaves). The conventional Tuareg dwelling is a tent of red-dyed skin (sometimes replaced in the later 20th century with plastic).
Traditional weapons include two-edged swords, sheathed daggers, iron lances, and leather shields. Adult males traditionally wore a blue veil in the presence of women, strangers, and in-laws, but that practice was abandoned with urbanization. The Tuareg have preserved v a peculiar script (tifinagh) related to that used by ancient Libyans.
They mostly keep art in the form of jewelry, leather, and metal saddle decorations, including finely crafted swords. However, the Tuaregs have been associated with Libya’s former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, and believed to be sheltering one of his sons, Saif al Islam Gaddafi. This is because Gaddafi recognized that they are determined and resourceful fighters.
They also believe him to have promoted thousands of Tuaregs in the Libyan army, encouraging them to be loyal to him. It makes sense that following his death; they have continued to provide refuge for his son.
Many Tuaregs settled into the communities with which they traded, serving as local merchants and representatives for their nomadic relations. In all these, the Tuareg society also has an elaborate structure.
The main division is between the noble class and the various serf classes. In most Tuareg groups, there are also whole tribes of ineslemen or marabouts. These are “holy people” who, like other tribes, are led by their own chiefs.
Among some Berbers, they consider such tribes differing from ordinary men. They are believed to possess the powers of protection and healing, even after death.
